Southern Methodist University SAT scores and admissions
Dallas, TX · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R2 research university
The figures above are the stored federal Scorecard snapshot, imported April 25, 2026. Its fields can cover different reporting years. Current university profiles below can describe a different cohort or applicant group.
How SMU compares
- Its SAT rank in the stored federal dataset is #27 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #1 of 13 in TX.
- Its 63% acceptance rate is more selective than 56% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
- Reported section midpoints skew 30 points toward Math (730 Math vs 700 Reading and Writing).
- Median earnings 10 years after entry ($78,354) are $15,288 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
What the numbers say about SMU
- The reported middle 50% spans 150 points, from 1340 to 1490. A planning score near or above 1530 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
- The reported section midpoints are 700 Reading and Writing and 730 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
- The Scorecard snapshot reports a 63% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
- Reported outcomes include a 84% completion rate and $78,354 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
Tuition and outcomes
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; our snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.
How your SAT score lines up
The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1340 and 1490. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.
- 1530 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range, not an admission guarantee.
- 1490 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
- 1420 SAT (range midpoint): Within the reported range; not a measured median.
- 1340 SAT (reported 25th percentile): At the lower end of the reported middle-50% range.
Strong relative score
At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.
Within the reported range
Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.
Below the reported range
Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.
Colleges with similar SAT scores
Ranked by proximity to SMU's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.
Scroll horizontally to view all columns →
| College | Location | SAT middle 50% | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 1330–1500 | 49% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1310–1520 | 42% |
| Trinity University | San Antonio, TX | 1340–1500 | 26% |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1350–1500 | 47% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1310–1500 | 60% |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | 1310–1480 | 61% |
Questions about SMU
What SAT score do I need for SMU?
Southern Methodist University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1340–1490, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1530 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.
What is SMU's acceptance rate?
Southern Methodist University's historical College Scorecard snapshot reports approximately 63%. This is a past institution-wide applicant pool, not an individual admission probability.
How much does it cost to attend SMU?
Historical published tuition is approximately $67,040 per year (excludes room, board, fees).
Is SMU test-optional?
The College Scorecard does not record testing policy, and this page has not checked Southern Methodist University's current rule. Confirm whether it is test-optional, test-required, or test-blind on its admissions page before you apply.